Gaslit by My Husband

“Gaslit by My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story” – A Harrowing True Drama of Manipulation and Survival

Gaslit by My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story is a 2024 Lifetime original movie based on the terrifying true story of Morgan Metzer, a woman who endured years of psychological abuse and ultimately survived a violent attack by her ex-husband, Rodney Metzer. The film stars Jana Kramer as Morgan and Austin Nichols as Rodney, and presents a deeply emotional and suspenseful account of one woman’s fight to reclaim her life after being gaslit and betrayed by the person she once trusted the most.

The story begins with Morgan and Rodney, childhood sweethearts who married young. They suffered the devastating loss of their first child before eventually having twins. Over time, Rodney’s behavior shifted—especially after he lost his job—becoming controlling, manipulative, and emotionally abusive. He repeatedly gaslit Morgan, making her doubt her own reality and sense of self. Gaslighting is a psychological tactic used by abusers to make victims feel “crazy” or to question their memories, and this theme is central to the film.

After Morgan filed for divorce in 2020, Rodney’s obsession intensified. Just weeks after the divorce was finalized, Morgan was attacked in her home on New Year’s Eve by a masked intruder who zip-tied her, choked her, and assaulted her—all while using voice-changing technology to hide his identity. In a desperate bid to survive, Morgan told her attacker that she still loved her husband, which triggered a shift in his behavior. He suddenly stopped, staged the scene to look like a robbery, and later returned to her home pretending to be the hero who had discovered the aftermath.

Investigators soon uncovered the horrifying truth: Rodney was the attacker. He had conducted internet searches on how to choke someone unconscious, how to disguise his voice, and had even purchased the zip ties and supplies in advance. It was revealed that he had also lied to Morgan about having cancer in a manipulative attempt to win her back. In 2021, Rodney Metzer was sentenced to 70 years in prison, with a minimum of 25 years to be served before eligibility for release.

The film’s emotional weight is carried by Jana Kramer, who not only plays Morgan but also serves as an executive producer. Kramer delivers a powerful performance, portraying both the psychological torment and the strength Morgan found in herself. The casting of Kramer’s real-life daughter as her on-screen child adds a further layer of realism and emotional depth.

Though the film takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect, it remains grounded in the harrowing reality of emotional abuse and survival. It has been praised for shedding light on gaslighting and coercive control, bringing attention to a form of abuse that often goes unnoticed. The story is not just about one woman’s trauma—it’s about resilience, courage, and reclaiming power from someone who tried to take it all away.

In the end, Gaslit by My Husband is more than just a true-crime drama—it’s a vital story of survival and strength that encourages others to recognize the signs of abuse and find the courage to speak out.